Members of a small club in the Nicola Valley were told by the B.C. Supreme Court this week that they’ll have to raise their own funds in their long-running legal battle with the Douglas Lake Cattle Co. and the American billionaire who owns it.
The Nicola Valley Fish and Game Club has contended for several years that they have a right to fish freely in Minnie and Stoney Lakes, which are within the confines of the 514,000-acre ranch east of Merritt owned by Stan Kroenke, who also owns the NFL’s St. Louis Rams.
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However, Madam Justice Ross rejected the club’s application for Douglas Lake and the provincial government to fund their legal costs.
“In my view, this case does not present the sort of circumstances in which an order for advance costs against a private party would be appropriate,” she said in her ruling.
The club has raised $40,000, but has been advised total costs could exceed $250,000.
The case will go ahead regardless, as the provincial government argues they own the fish and lakebeds in question, and have the authority to grant or restrict public fishing in the lakes.
What is now uncertain is whether the club, which has separate disputes with Douglas Lake that the government either opposes or holds no opinion on, will continue their own action.
“We have to discuss with our lawyers if there is a plan B. Failing that, we may have to try and defend ourselves. Everybody says you’re crazy if you act as your own lawyer, but we might not have a choice,” says McGowan.
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